Ahmadinejad's 'blog'

Ahmadinejad is a populist rather than a fundamentalist. Yet, I can't really convince myself that he's really taken up blogging.

The website has only one post now and it's not clear if he's written it specifically for this 'blog.' We should wait and see how it goes and then decide to call it a blog.

But if he continues writing it and if it's become a real blog, then we should be happy that they're not going to shut down the blogging services as long as Ahmaedinejad is a populist.

As 'the blogfather of the Iranian blogs,' I have to confess, I'm quite happy that I the movement I started in November 2001 has become so mainstream that even someone like Ahmadinejad has embraced it. Even though I think he's been a disaster for Iran and I count the minutes until wish he leaves the office he's occupied.

UPDATE:

Here are some more thoughts:

Quality

I think most Iranians would find it quite trendy and cool. But personally I think it has lots of usability issues.

But his style of writing is not 'bloggy' as they say it in Iran. Long posts with no links. But it's interesting that he accpets comments for his post. Although all the approved ones are positive towards him. But its perconal tone is quite remarkable.

It strikes me hie's very much influenced by Mohammad Ali Abtahi, the former vice-president's blog. In terms of visuals, and his personal tone. But Abtahi doesn't allow direct comments under each posts. However, he's almost written everyday since over two years ago.

Implications

It proves Ahmadinejad is a populist rather than a fundamentalist and he's quite keen to reach the young educated urban Iranians around the world. Also that he wants to communicate with outside world.

If he continues writing it and if it becomes a real blog, then we should be happy that they're not going to shut down the blogging services as long as Ahmaedinejad is a populist.

As 'the blogfather of the Iranian blogs,' I have to confess, I'm quite happy that I the movement I started in November 2001 has become so mainstream that even someone like Ahmadinejad has embraced it. Even though I think he's been a disaster for Iran and I count the minutes until wish he leaves the office he's occupied.

In other words, it's a guarantee that the governemnt, even under Ahmadinejad, is not going to crack down on Internet as a whole. Blogs are localised now and they've also localised Internet in Iran and safeguarded it.

Ahmadinejad's populaism is exactly what we should use to protect some other valuable achivements under Khatami. If it wasn't for the religious people's part in the blogosphere, this could have not happened. This should be the strategy for anyone who want to change something in Iran.

It alsoresembles Khomeini's approach to Cinema: Accept it as a whole, take out the undesired elements in it, and use it. That's the only way a blogger president and Internet censorship can live together.